Chris Joannides, who has since deleted his Facebook page, posted the remark, "I saw her standing there and I told her she had three beautiful children. She didn't have to get all pissed off and threaten me … an honest mistake," next to a picture of a woman and child dressed in burqas with bin bags beside them.

Enfield Conservative group leader Michael Lavender has since suspended the councillor from the party while further disciplinary action is considered.

The incident will be of some embarrassment to Tory HQ. The party is purportedly planning an ethnic minority charm offensive in an attempt to secure a parliamentary majority at the next election.